Angel Alcala (1929 - )

Angel C. Alcala (born March 1, 1929) is a Filipino biologist who was named a National Scientist of the Philippines in 2014.

He had created the artificial coral reefs that help a lot to the Philippines' aquatic ecosystem.

Alcala was born on March 1, 1929.

In 1951 he got his bachelor's degree in biology (magna cum laude) from Silliman University and went to Stanford University to complete his master's degree 9 years later.

By 1966 he got his Ph.D. in the same field and got an honour doctorate from both the Xavier University and the University of Southeastern Philippines.

Later on he became a professor at Silliman University where he also served as its president for two consecutive years.

He served as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from 1992 to 1995 and chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) from 1995 to 1999.

He also served as consultant on marine and aquatic projects under the United Nations Environment Programme, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Bank Global Environment Facility, the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.

His research have led to the discovery of at least 50 new species of amphibians and reptiles in the Philippines.

On June 6, 2014, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III Proclamation No. 782, naming Alcala a National Scientist of the Philippines in recognition of his research on ecology and diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles, marine biodiversity and marine-protected areas.

On October 25, 2014, he visited the Semirara coast where he spoke in favor of saving giant clams.